Shots on Goal by Rich Wallace (Laurel-leaf books)

It's soccer season, and sophomore Bones Austin and his team are struggling to make it to the district play-offs--against all odds. To make matters worse, Bones has a crush on the girlfriend of his best friend, Joey. Bones and Joey are forced to learn a little something about teamwork, even when hard times seem to be tearing them apart. Rich Wallace returns to Sturbridge, Pennsylvania, in his stunning follow-up to Wreslting Strubirdge, in Knopf Paperback for the first time.

RICH WALLACE is the acclaimed author of many books for young readers, including the Kickers series, Sports Camp, Wrestling Sturbridge, and the Winning Season series. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife, author Sandra Neil Wallace.

Publishers Weekly

In this play-by-play account of a sophomore's soccer season at a small-town high school, said PW, ""Wallace's ear for locker-room banter and his knowledge of adolescent egos shine through."" Ages 11-16.

Publishers Weekly

But the coach says they must first ""work together"" as a team and overcome ""personality conflicts""--not an easy task for Bones, whose best friend Joe (a more aggressive forward) captured the attentions of flirtatious Shannon just when Bones was about to make his move.